Zooey Deschanel hosted the 2012 Writers Guild Awards, and asked the men there to "hit on me."Michael Tran/FilmMagic

Deschanel appeared to have a moment with Alexander Payne, who dramatically kissed her hand. (Michael Tran/FilmMagic)

Zooey Deschanel appeared single and ready to mingle at the 2012 Writers Guild Awards in Los Angeles last night. The “New Girl” star, who filed for divorce from Death Cab for Cutie frontman Ben Gibbard on Jan. 5, told the men in attendance at the event to “hit on me.”

Deschanel hosted the awards show, alongside comedian Joel McHale of the sitcom “Community,” and appeared to be on the prowl following her split from Gibbard, whom she married in 2009.

“Welcome to Nerd Prom,” Deschanel said while opening the show. “Male writers, you are so hot with your minds and plaid shirts. Hit on me.”

The doe-eyed “New Girl” actress stunned in an off-beat plaid vintage gown. Before the show, she took pictures with McHale on the red carpet. She also appeared to have a moment with director Alexander Payne, who later won the award for Best Adapted Screenplay for “The Descendants.” Payne took Deschanel by the hand, and dramatically kissed her hand.

Deschanel spoke to iVillage about married life in July, signaling that there was trouble in paradise between herself and Gibbard.

“It’s definitely hard, but he’s really good at calling. He’s probably better than I am. He’s a very conscientious person,” she said, when asked about her husband being on tour with his band frequently. “It’s definitely hard because you get used to someone being around and all of a sudden they’re not around and you’re like, ‘What happened?'”